I’m really frustrated that Jude rose to the occasion, and that the functional MRI nevertheless didn’t work out. I really feel that if Abbott had the proper restraints, it would have been a successful scan and they would have gathered some valuable information to make the surgery less risky and more successful. I’m looking into …
Monthly Archives: May 2012
Best Charities for Children with Life-Threatening Illnesses
We had always heard about the great things Make-A-Wish does for children with life-threatening illnesses, but were not aware of all the other great charties that cater to children, such as Jude. My favorite such charity is HopeKids. We joined HopeKids a few months after Jude’s brain cancer diagnosis. HopeKids provides an ongoing calendar of …
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13 Days Until Surgery
It’s remarkable that with all of the difficult things Jude has endured at Children’s Hospital (including brain surgery, stitches in the eye lid, stitches in his ear, and a stay for pneumonia), he always looks forward to going there. So, they are doing a great job catering to kids with the play areas, toys, video …
Wondering What the Future Holds for Jude
Given that Jude is just 1 of 13 known kids across the world with the same kind of tumor in the same location as Jude’s, we really don’t have good data on what his future holds. I’m hoping he kicks this cancer and grows up to be a neurosurgeon who can reassure all the scared …
Today’s MRIs
Today was a big day. We had to be at Children’s Hospital at 7:30 a.m.  Since our boys usually sleep in past then, I decided to put them to bed in their clothes for today instead of pajamas so we could get out the door on time. My idea didn’t work out according to plan. Jude …
My Sister, the Cancer Researcher
My younger sister, Katie, is a professor in the biology department at NDSU and she also runs a lab where she studies colon cancer. Katie’s research focuses on the link between diet and colon cancer. My awesome mom (who is often right, but thinks she is always right) has always thought that Katie was meant to …
Jude’s Toothbrush
This morning when Jude was brushing his teeth he said cutely, “Why does this toothbrush taste yucky? It tastes like it’s been in someone else’s mouth.”
Functional MRI followed by Fully Anesthetized MRI Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a big day for Jude. He will apparently be the first 5 year old that has ever undergone a functional MRI for this particular technican at Abbott. She was very hesitant, but somehow the neurosurgeon and oncologist must have talked her into it. I sure hope my stubborn little Jude can cooperate. I …
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Surgery Set for June 6th
Jude is scheduled for surgery to remove his cancerous brain tumor that reappeared after the earlier resection 1-1/2 years ago. The surgery will be on June 6th, with a pre-op MRI in the late afternoon on June 5th. That will be rough since Jude won’t get to eat or drink all day on the 5th. …
Tubing and Barefooting in Ice Water
Andy was busy this weekend as a delegate at a state political convention so I decided to take the boys to Litchfield for the weekend. They love visiting their Grandma and Grandpa Forbes and Uncle Mike. Jude and I went tubing in the freezing water. I was really impressed with him. He was so much …